HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5918

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                 Children & Family Services

Title:  An act relating to a single system of accountability for the mental health service delivery system.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for a single system of accountability for the mental health service delivery system.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Sheldon, Hargrove, Quigley, Prentice, Rasmussen and Kohl).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Children & Family Services:  3/30/95, 3/31/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Cooke, Chairman; Lambert, Vice Chairman; Stevens, Vice Chairman; Thibaudeau, Ranking Minority Member; Boldt; Buck; Carrell; Patterson and Tokuda.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  In 1994, legislation was enacted requiring the Department of Social and Health Services to establish a project streamlining accountability systems for mental health programs.  The project is to be implemented in at least two regional support networks by July 1995 with full statewide implementation by July 1997.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Social and Health Services is required to proceed with the project to streamline accountability systems which affect the community mental health service delivery system.

The definition of community mental health service delivery system includes agencies that specifically provide services for persons with mental disorders and receive funding from various federal or state sources.

The department is required to make systematic efforts to include state, federal, and local funds into the single system of accountability.  

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  All federal, state, and local funds that flow through community mental health centers should be included in this project to reduce process and focus on outcomes.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  David Hanig, Department of Social and Health Services (neutral); and Elena Argomany, Kitsap Mental Health Services (pro).